Automatic tool feeding mechanism



Aug. l5, 1950 2y Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1947 P. S. CLAUS ETI AL AUTOMATIC TOOL FEEDING MECHANISM Aug. 15, 1950 Filed March 8; 1947 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ILE-:.3

Patented Aug. 1950 i UNITED, STATES .PATENT OFFICE 2,518,599 AUTOMATIC TOOL FEDYIYNG MECHANISM Philip S. Claus and Eber J. Readman, Plymouth,

Mich., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to William A. King, Highland Park,

Mich., trustee Application March 8, 1947, Serial No. 733,390

(Cl. 'J7-32) s claims. l

This inventionrelates to feeding mechanisms for tools and the like and particularly to an automatic feed head for cutting, milling, reamingor `drilling operations.

Heretofore, feeding mechanisms of this c'har- 1' acter have advanced the tool toward and through the work piece upon which the operation is being performed while at the same time rotating the tool at relatively high speeds. In addition to the power means for rotating the tool supporting part 'of the mechanism', inertia members responsive to theV rotation of the tool have been employed `for moving or advancing the part and tool upon the Work piece. These inertia members were usually ,in the form of Weighted spherical elements or employed but this increases the size of the mechanisms rendering them unsuitable for. many types of work. Conversely, if less force wasdesired to advance the tool upon the object, the tool supporting means was rotated at less speed which in many instances was opposed to the desirablityof employing high rotaryV speeds for the operation being performed.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for tools andthe like which removes the-dependentrela- `tionship between the rotating tool supporting means and the inertia means heretofore existing 'I in such devices thus enabling the tool to be rotated at the desired speed and advanced upon and through the Work piece at the desired force.' Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel arrangement in the feeding Ymechanism which enables the tool to be rotated at one speed and the inertia members employed to advance the tool at another speed thereby divorcing the mutual dependent relationship between the feed force exerted andthe speed of rotation of the tool. A further object of the invention is to provide a novel combination of parts for driving the tool supporting means and the `inertia members at different rates of speed which forms a compact assembly and is relatively light .in weight and Vrugged in construction. Astill further object of the invention is to provide a novel driving connection for rotating the tool supporting means and the inertia means which is adapted to drive both means at the same time and from the same source of power but at different rates of speed.

Various other objects, advantages and meritorious features of this invention will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended; claims and accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the feed mechanism embodying the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional v view of a modification of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view along line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and' l 'Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View along line K 5-5 of Fig. 3.

` The present invention is illustrated in the drawings in two different embodiments, one of which is constructed to rotate the inertia means at a vhigher speed than the tool supporting means, and

the other of which is constructed to rotate the inertia means ata slower rate than the tool supporting means. Figs. l and 2 relate to the iirst embodiment and Figs. 3 to 5 relate to the second embodiment.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the tool supportingmeans comprises a driven shaft lll which is provided with a suitable means such as socket l2 at the outer or right end as viewed in Fig. l for detachably receiving a tool. The shaft ill Imay ,be an elongated member extending substantially the length of the mechanism as shown or divided .into t'wo or more aligned shafts coupled together for joint rotation. The shaft is mounted for both rotation and axial movement. The shaft is rotated from a source of power, such as the electric motor generally indicated at I4, the housing of which may be secured directly to the housing enclosing the mechanism as shown. The armature of the motor carries a projecting driving shaft IB, having detachably secured thereto a driving memberv I8 which projects forwardly in alignment with the drive shaft. The inner end of the driven shaft l0 is operatively coupled to the drive shaft IE for rotation thereby. Preferably this is accomplished by the coupling sleeve 20, the forward end section of which is splined to the rear end of the driven shaft and the rear end section of which is splined to the-drive member i8. The splines of the driven shaft I!) and the drive member I8 are respectively indicated at 22 and 24 and as shown herein extend parallel to the axes of these members. A pin 26 extends transversely across the sleeve 20 separating the drive member i8 from the inner end of the driven shaft IG. Jlhev forward-end of the driven shaft l is rotatably journaled in a bearingl 28 f'whichis carried in an adjustable mounting indicated at 30. The remote inner end 0f the driven shaftqis supported by the coupling sleeve which in turn is rotatably supported in the mechanism in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The operating parts of the mechanism arepreferably housed in an elongated'tubular structure gradually reducing in diameter toward the working end. As shown, this housing comprises `a relatively large diameter tubular section 32 to which the motor housing is directly attached. Detachably received ywithin and secured to the forward end of the section32 is a second tubular section 34 which extends for the major portion of the length of the mechanism and may be jogged intermediate its ends to provide a'forward part -of reduced diameter. tion 36 is detachably slidably received in the forward end of the section 34. This last section is shaped to receive and hold the journaled mounting 36 previously described.

For axially advancingV the driven shaft or spindle I0 and thereby carry the tool toward and through the object upon 'which thework is performed, there is provided inertia means inthe form of a plurality of weighted members .or balls 38 arranged circularly around an intermediate portion of the driven shaft. These balls are mounted in a rotatable ball cage-structure comprising a rear annular plate 40,. a front.'y annular plate 42 and radial fins 44 extending between the two plates and connecting the saine together to forma plurality of ball retaining pockets. Preferably, the ball cage structurels formed out of one member and asa result the annular plates and ns are integrally joined together. The

A third tubular secy pockets open outwardly radially in order to allow the balls 38 to rise thereabove.

In order to convertthe centrifugal force of rotation of the balls to a linear force for axially advancing the driven shaft to and through a Iwork piece, a conical shaped Ymember 45, termed a pressure or pusher plate, is arranged tol overlie the openings of the ball retaining pockets as shown in Fig. l. The pusher plate converges forwardly and is securedto a collarllsfwhich is independently rotatably mounted by means of-a ball bearing 4S on a feed sleeve '50 surrounding the shaft l0. The feed sleeve 5!! is independently rotatable about the shaft I0 by the provision of a bearing therebetween of bronze or other-suitable material for this purposeindicated at 52. `Disconnectible means is provided for operatively connecting the sleeve 50 to the shaft I0 Afor Vadvancing the same, which. means is effective at a predetermined point in the advancement of the shaft to break off the connection and restrict further advance of the shaft. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated herein thisrneans comprises Aa collet '54 surroundingthe shaft Vil) and having its forward end pivotally connected to the shaft by a pin `55. The rear end of the vcollet is normally tilted eccentrically to the shaft so that its rear edge is disposed in the path. of travel of the forward edge of the sleeve' in the manner shown in Fig. 1. A spring pressed plunger 58 is utilized to tilt the collet. The collet is rockable about the pin .56 and Slightlyrotatable Y but itsrotatableplay is 4undesirable and is prefer- ...ably prevented by the provision of la :second pin 6U which slidably fits a hole in the collet and projects therethrough.

The bearing mounting is provided with an inwardly projecting externally threaded tubular vportion-.62, the inner diameter of which is greater than theshaft -D in order to provide clearance therebetween. ."A coiled spring 64 encircles the shaft in this clearance and is seated at one end onthe-inner race of the bearing 28 and at the other end on the collet 54. Adjustably threaded on the tubular portion 52 is a sleeve 66 which projects inwardly approximately the length of the housingsection and is internally shouldered to provide aseat for the outer race of. the roller lbearing .assembly 68. A ring-shaped stop member 'i8 is slidably fitted into the inner end of sleeve '.65 -and-is axially urged inwardly bysprings l2.

Carried on the sleeve is a radial ,abutment in thev form of a collar 14 which is adapted toengage the stop member 'I9 and limit further` axial advance. of theV feed vsleeve `5l). The springs ,12 serve to'cushion the shock of engagement between the sleeve and the stop member 10. The collet and the tubular ,portion 52. are cooperatinglly-shaped so that as the shaft and tool approach ,the end of the operating stroke the inner walls of the tubular portionrock the collet on the shaft to bring the rear end thereof into substantial concentricity with the shaft andrvout of the path of the feedsleevevi. When this occurs, the longitudinal drive connection between the feed sleeve .and the shaft IB isbroken kand the coiled spring '64 is free-toreturn the shaftto its normal inoplerative;position for the next operating stroke.

rim of aslightly conicalsleeve T8. Thereduced end of this sleeve is shaped to bear upon the outer 'raceof a ball-bearing assemblyS! interposed between a shoulder on thefeed sleeve 50 and the collar 4. The bearing assembly allows the spring 'is and its seating member lato be stationary while theseelements advance with therotating feed sleeve.

An important feature ofthe inventionresides in the means for rotating the inertia members 38 from the same source of power .as the driven shaft l0 but at a different rate'of speed'therefrom. Preferably this isaccomplished by the provision of a set of gears of the character illustrated in Fig. 2. The ball retaining structure dll- 44 is fixed to the forward end of a sleeve 82 by any suitable means such as the pins 84. y'Sleeve 82 coaxially encircles the coupling sleeve .'Zbut is independently rotatable thereabout. `This is accomplished by providing sleeve Y82 with an internal diameter lgreater than the outer diameter of the coupling sleeve and interposing a bearing '86 of bronze or other suitable material for this purpose therebetween. Both sleeves are rotatably supported in the vhousingv by two encircling ball bearing'assemblies 88?:88, the outer ball races of which are enclosed by a surrounding circular member 8.0? which.slirla'loly,- ltatheerear. endfof the-2 l'iousing seotionz- 34. and: is:` immovably secured? thereto.: by a: plurality oi'. circularly: spaoediV apar-.ti bolts SM'l In@ the. embodimentfillustrated in: Figs. l. and 2;. the. outer-sleevey 82,v isfI rotatablyA drifverrby,I the sett of gears at afaster.A rate of..y speedy than the. shaft; or spindle lil. Fixed ort the endof thesleevel: adjacent to the motor |f4-iszan annular gear-meme ber: 92:v forming the. driven. pinion;v oft the. gear as sembly; Meshing vvitlt this member. are aV plu rality of equally oircumi1erential1yv spaced.. apart, ninions` 94g four being` shown in: the.. present. em.- bodiment ofthezinvention.. llhese .pinions ineturn. meshwith an. internalgear. Sfxedtotlie. under side4 .of an. overlappingA circular flange. 9.8'. provided'.l ont a.V memberA lawhichis.. oiset. to, the. plane of.; the.- pinions. Memberv |00 is. jointly rotatable. with the. drive member or shaft [6' suoliY asY by. the.

provision of. thekey i022'. Thepinions 04;' are rotatably journalecl on stub `shafts |010 which extend parallel to. the axisoi the. drive and driven. membersY in the `mechanismxarid. are mounted in` an annular plate |06' abuttingthe rear end of" the member 90.. Circularly1 spaced apart'bolt's l0? secure the plate lll` to thememberg@ andgho-ld. the` plate and' stub shafts iromrotation: evident that; rotation of the Amember lili? will operate through the gearing assembly'to rotatetlre" sleeve 8e at a faster rate. of speed'.r 4Sincev the member ljis jointly rotatable withy the drive." member' I6 andthe spindle I:,.the' inertia mem'-l bers or.' balls' 3 0, will rotate at' aV faster rate than thespi'ndle;

To' the extent of the ldescription of the mechanism' thus far-described; it is evident thatuponf e-nergi'zationl of the'motor'both the-driven shaft t0 andthe balls will? rotatedy therefrom but at dierentlrates of speed'. Theballs-are not'dee pendent upon the shari; speed-f'or rotation'butf are independently rotateda-t a faster ratei As they moveout of the-'pockets in theball cage structure' the ballsfwill urge the conical pushermember i6V axially forwa-r di' at a-foroegreater than i1" they: were rotated at' the same" speed as the shaft 'and'I willi' advance the spindle-and the tool` through' the Worlif pi'eoe with considerablyY more force; By this provision the same size or even lighter Weight'. ballsV may" be employees to drive the spindl'efforwardi with a greater thrust. force than heretofore obtainable-by-meehanism oiitl'iis character.

' At. the enclt off the forvvardzstroke: of,IT the; feeol` sleeve 5.0;.- manual or." automatic. means; may-- bet-y provided for de-en'ergizingthe motonorrer to;v alloW'the pants. returirtotl their initial; operatingi position. Since the balls are rotating at a rapid rate' byv virtue of the speedE increasing. drive from. the.I source of power, it isdesirable torbrin'g; the rotating balls. quickly to-V a` haltfollowingde.-

energization of the; motor in order' coprepare mechanism: for the'next-power. strokefanrlyet ac' compiish this without imposing. undue strain orv load on-.the motor. |llhis7 is,- preierablyff-aocomgplished by: providing a frietiona-l` brake; between. a stationarypart of the-mee-hanismi and.thesforj-Y Wardi feed devices and inthe illustrated; embodiim ment of the invention such a bralre is shown:v at 1.08: consisting of friction material seeured: to` the. inner endl of. the circular bodyl 90s.. ring M0 ismounted on-the outer sleevel-Z andfooupled;v thereto for joint rotationoy one yor more pinsttt?. The location of the ring. member is-suolii tl'iatin,l the initial starting. position ot the.; parts ittoo-Y gages the friction. material asishown irl-.Eiga 1-.

6T Eollowingfa .power stroke:;.the.partsreturrs to,J their initial. startingv position at; whichv time the? ring. member;N which. is rotatingat. the: same speed. as: the. balfls; engagesM the friction material; andVr isf. brought to a halt; p

As; previously mentioned: Figs. 3,. 41and-5villus-- trate.' mechanism for: rot-ating the inertia. mem'.-A bier-statV a5 slower rate of speedy than the: tool. Asi in; the: previously; described embodiment of; therf invention this-isl preferably aocoinplishedjby pro vidfmgv a reduction' gearsystem. Referringrtoligg. 3ythefdrive shaft tromthesource of. poweris-indi= cated at; Mir andi corresponds: inly functioni to drivef shaft Hi; previously described.v Itextends; axiallyy into a housing-section 3:21A similar tosthez. tubular section 32 previously described; ,Fixedztox the drive sha-tt. fon joint rotationtherewitli. is; a ring:` gear or. internal; gea-r* case |120 having. i111-v ternal. teeth |122'v as shown in Eig, 4; Mounted. Withinthe ring gear are. two sets of: gears; oli` differentY sizes; The; gears ofthe-:larger set. are indioatedz at. |243. the.Y gears.y off the.l smaller-'setii are indicated ati |26.

Ae;` shot/'nf the; gears; or each, set oorrespondiA in.` number andi positionetoone another.; Eaohgear: of. the larger. set is pairedI with. a gearfov the;r smaller set, suchasfby being integrally eonnectexcf to :one asgshmvnrinrllig. 3;. andi botlr are 'rotatably mounted uponl a: commonsha-ft. IESE for' jtointrd tation;- The; shafts |28.r are; offsetv to. theraxisxofthey drive shaft butextend; parallel thereto. The` forward; end:` of' each. shaft., |2|3A is. ii'xed. toan: am nular .plate |f30fsuel1 as-bya lockingtprrifl. The: annular. plateray secured; as inthe-previously' defseri'bed, embodiment of the invention-.by bolts. Atox a1: circular member |331correspondingftor-member 0.0.1/ previously described; Thefr-.ear-endsL of the: shafts.N

|28 are,- fixed in a plate member |32 Whiolrisl.

axially boredfl so; as .to be: rotatably reoeivedsover" the: inner. end. of the; drive: shaft'v lr6/'.1 rLhe smaller: set ofgears; |245 mesh with. an annular gearmenrfber |30 Xed to an outer sleeve |36 correspondlng' in function to tliesleeve: 82' Wh-iohfis operatively coupled4 toLthe` inertia members or balls; 3&forf rotating; the.' same.; 'Ehe'y large set of gears; |24- meshwith agearwheel? i343 fixed by a; key or: otherwise totherreduced end' M0 of; an externall' splined driving' mem-ber. |42 Whichis: coupled'. by" meansofz; the splines to an inner coupling;sleeve.`

LIM: oor-responding in. function tot the.:l sleeve.r 26? Wlziieh;` drives the` spindle. shaft HI'.l It; Will,` be:z understood? that. rotation or the: internalz gear" case.- |f2r0 by; thedrive shaft twill: rnpartrotaf-V tieniv to the: two; Sets or gears anat by: reason:` off: their unequal?. sizes'. cause the spindle.y driving?. sleeve. |4541. torotate at a fasternate. of speedithan'; the sleeve: |35 which drivesrthe inertia members;u

What Weiclaimisz.

l. feeding, mechanism fortool's and the-like; including, in; combination, a rotatableshaft, tool. holding meanarotatable-With saidgshaft'a rotatable Weight. adaptedv to'feedi. said'ishafrt. axially by the centrifugal.r force.- of. rotation of saidfweight; a rotatable. driving. member co-axiallyd related'.; tor. said shaft, a sleeveoperativel'y coupling-saiddrivl ing member with said. shaft torotate thel'atten. a-slleevesurrounding; the first mentioned coupling.; sleeve. and shaft operatively coupling'` saidi dmv;-` ingr, memb er With' saidl Weight t'orotate:` thelatter' at the same time said shaft is: rotated/saith last: coupling; mea-ns inoludinggearing meansyfor rotating, the Weight at a speed-or rotaticnmdiffer.0| ing fromvthationthe shaft'.

2.. A. tool feeding-A mechanism conlprising;y inv combination,y aA rotatableandi axially, movable:

shaft adapted to be operatively coupled to a source of power for rotation thereby and provided with means on one end for detachably receiving a tool, a plurality of weights encircling said shaft, rotatable means operatively connecting said weights with said shaft and operable to convert the centrifugal force exerted upon rotation of the weights to a linear force for axially advancing said shaft toward a Work piece, said last means comprising two telescoping sleeves each capable of rotating freely relatively to the other, and means for rotating said weights from said source of power, said last means including gearing connected with one of said sleeves and the power source for rotating said weights at a rate of speed differing from said shaft.

3. A tool feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable and axially movable shaft including tool holding means at one end of the shaft rotatable and axially movable therewith, a plurality of weighted members mounted in encircling relation to said shaft for revolution thereabout at a speed differing from the rate of rotation of the shaft, means operable to convert the centrifugal force exerted when the members are revolved about the shaft to a linear force for axially advancing the shaft in one direction, a rotatable driving member disposed in alignment with the end of said shaft opposite to-said tool holding means, means coupling said shaft to said driving member to receive rotating impulses therefrom but permitting the shaft to advance axially relative thereto, a sleeve encircling the shaft and coupling means and independently rotatable thereabout, means coupling said sleeve to said weighted members for revolving the same, and reduction gearing coupling said sleeve to said driving member and adapted to rotate the sleeve at a different rate of speed than the shaft to thereby revolve the weighted members at a rate of speed differing from that of the shaft.

4. A tool feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable and axially movable shaft including tool holding means at one end of the shaft rotatable and axially movable therewith, a plurality of weighted members mounted in encircling relation to said shaft for rotation thereabout at a speed differing from that of the shaft, means operable upon rotation of said members about said shaft to convert the centrifugal force exerted to a linear force for axially moving the shaft in the direction of said tool holding means, a rotatable driving member disposed in alignment with the end of the said shaft opposite to said tool holding means, a coupling sleeve operatively connected to said driving member and to the adjacent end of the shaft and adapted to transmit rotative impulses from the former to the latter while permitting axial movement of the shaft relative to the driving member, a second sleeve concentrically mounted with respect to the rst sleeve and enclosing the same therewithin, means journaling said second sleeve for rotation and operatively coupling the second sleeve to saidV weighted members to rotate the same, and gear means operatively coupling said driving member to said second sleeve and adapted to rotate the same and the weighted members at a faster rate of speed than said shaft.

5. A tool feeding mechanism comprising, in combination, a rotatable and axially movable shaft including tool holding means at one end thereof, a driving member disposed in axial alignment with the end of the shaft opposite to saidY 8. tool holding means and adapted vto be rotated from a source of power, sleeve means coupling the driving member to the shaft to rotate the same, a plurality of weighted balls surrounding the shaft and rotatable thereabout and radially movable relative thereto, gearing means coupling the balls to said driving member and operable to rotate the balls about the shaft at a rate of speed differing from that of the shaft, said gearing means including a sleeve telescoping with the rst coupling sleeve, a feed sleeve coaxially surrounding said shaft but both rotatably and axially movable relative thereto, means lfor disconnectibly coupling the feed sleeve to the shaft for joint axial movement in the direction of said tool holding means, a push member connected to said feed sleeve for joint axial movement therewith but rotatable relative thereto, said push member being engageable by said balls when the latter move outwardly radially of the shaft and operable to convert the centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of the balls to a linear force for axially moving the feed sleeve in the direction of said tool holding means.

'6. A feeding mechanism for tools and the like including, in combination, rotatable tool holding means, push means for advancing said tool holding means longitudinally as it rotates by centrifugal force of rotation comprising a lcentrifugally operating fotatable weight and a rotatable feed member responsive to the centrifugal force of the rotating weight to advance said tool holding means, sleeve means rotatable within the sleeve for rotating said tool holding means, a common bearing for journaling the sleeve and the means rotating within the sleeve and garing means connecting the weight with a common driving means for the tool rotating means for rotating said Weight at a speed differing from that of said tool holding means.

'7. A feeding mechanism for tools and the like comprising, in combination, a rotatable tool holding means, a device in the mechanism for axially feeding said tool holding means as it rotates having a centrifugally operating rotating weight co-axially related to the tool holding means and having a rotatable feed sleeve co-axially related to the tool holding means and responsive to the centrifugal force of the weight for axially moving the same, a source of power, means for r0- tating said tool holding means from said source of power, and gearing means connecting the power source with the weight rotating means for rotating said weight from said source of power at a speed different from that of said tool holding means.

8. A tool feeding mechanism including, in combination, a rotatable and axially moving shaft, means for detachably connecting a tool at one end of the shaft, a push member mounted on said shaft, a plurality of weighted members surrounding said shaft and adapted when rotated to exert a centrifugal force upon said push member and shift same and the shaft axially in one direction, a cage surrounding said shaft and engaging the weighted members to impart rotation thereto, a drive member disposed'in alignment with the end of the shaft opposite to the tool connecting means thereof and adapted to be rotated from a source of power, reduction gearing operatively associated with said drive member, a pair of independently rotatable interiitting sleeves coaxially related to said shaft and said drive member, one of said sleeves coupling said 9 drive member to said shaft to rotate the latter at the same speed as the drive member While permitting axial movement of the shaft relative to the drive member, and the other of said sleeves coupling said reduction gearing with said plate to 5 PHILIP S. CLAUS. EBER J. READMAN.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '729,625 Mathieu June 2, 1903 1,654,963 Crawford Jan. 3, 1928 1,879,142 Egan Sept. 27, 1932 1,909,191 Staiord May 16, 1933 2,421,541 Claus et a1 June 3, 1947 

